Back to EveryPatent.com
United States Patent |
5,613,646
|
Miyazaki
|
March 25, 1997
|
Fishing double-bearing type reel with play-reducting clutch mechanism
Abstract
The invention relates to a fishing double-bearing type reel having a clutch
mechanism which controls the engagement of a spool shaft thereby to switch
the fishing-line take-up state and the fishing-line let-out state of the
reel. In a fishing double-bearing type reel, a supporting shaft is
provided coaxially with respect to a spool shaft on which a spool is
mounted, and a pinion, which is rotated in association with the rotation
of the handle, is mounted on the supporting shaft, and a rod-shaped
engaging piece is provided on the pinion in such a manner that it is
perpendicular to the axis, and is engaged with an recess formed in the end
portion of the spool shaft. The engaging region where the rod-shaped
engaging piece and the recess are engaged with each other is located as
close to the common axis of the spool shaft and the supporting shaft as
possible.
Inventors:
|
Miyazaki; Takeo (Kodaira, JP)
|
Assignee:
|
Daiwa Seiko, Inc. (Tokyo, JP)
|
Appl. No.:
|
501468 |
Filed:
|
July 12, 1995 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
Current U.S. Class: |
242/260 |
Intern'l Class: |
A01K 089/015 |
Field of Search: |
242/259,260,261,262
|
References Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
2130281 | Sep., 1938 | Case | 242/261.
|
3812940 | May., 1974 | Svensson | 242/260.
|
4579296 | Jan., 1986 | Karlsson et al. | 242/261.
|
4796831 | Jan., 1989 | Sheppard | 242/262.
|
5123609 | Jun., 1992 | Noda | 242/261.
|
5205511 | Apr., 1993 | Morimoto | 242/261.
|
5275352 | Jan., 1994 | Sato | 242/261.
|
5299758 | Jan., 1994 | Sato | 242/261.
|
Foreign Patent Documents |
57-158372 | Mar., 1956 | JP.
| |
60-103804 | Apr., 1985 | JP.
| |
Primary Examiner: Matecki; Katherine
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Longacre & White
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A fishing double-bearing type reel comprising:
a spool shaft rotatably supported by a reel body and having a spool
thereon, said spool shaft having an axial end portion;
a supporting shaft coaxial with respect to said spool shaft, and having an
axial end portion confronted with said axial end portion of said spool
shaft;
a pinion rotatable in association with rotation of a handle and mounted on
said supporting shaft;
a rod-shaped engaging piece provided on one of said axial end portions of
said spool shaft and said pinion, and extending perpendicular to a common
axis of said spool shaft and said supporting shaft; and
a recess formed in the other of said axial end portions for engagement with
said rod-shaped engaging piece, wherein said pinion is axially movable
relative to said spool shaft so that said rod-shaped engaging piece is
engaged with and disengaged from said recess, and
wherein a spatial gap is provided between said spool shaft and said
supporting shaft along said common axis to thereby permit relative axial
displacement of said supporting shaft with respect to said spool shaft.
2. A fishing double-bearing type reel as claimed in claim 1, wherein:
said rod-shaped engaging piece is made of a hard steel, and provided on
said pinion made of a non-ferrous material; and
said recess is formed on said spool shaft.
3. A fishing double-bearing type reel as claimed in claim 2, wherein:
said hard steel is selected from the group consisting of stainless steel
and quenched steel; and
said non-ferrous material is selected from the group consisting of copper
alloy and aluminum alloy.
4. A fishing double-bearing type reel as claimed in claim 1, wherein
said rod-shaped engaging piece is made of a hard steel, and is provided on
said spool shaft, and
said recess is formed on said pinion made of a non-ferrous material.
5. A fishing double-bearing type reel as claimed in claim 4, wherein:
said hard steel is selected from the group consisting of stainless steel
and quenched steel; and
said non-ferrous material is selected from the group consisting of copper
alloy and aluminum alloy.
6. A fishing double-bearing type reel as claimed in claim 1, wherein:
said pinion includes an annular wall at said axial end portion thereof for
defining a circular hole into which said axial end portion of said spool
shaft is insertable;
said rod-shaped engaging piece is supported by said annular wall and
extends across said circular hole diametrically; and
said recess is formed as a groove extending diametrically on said axial end
of said spool shaft.
7. A fishing double-bearing type reel as claimed in claim 1, wherein:
said pinion includes an annular wall at said axial end portion thereof for
defining a circular hole into which said axial end portion of said spool
shaft is insertable;
said recess is formed as a pair of grooves located at diametrically
opposite positions of said annular wall; and
said rod-shaped engaging piece is fixed to said axial end of said spool
shaft to diametrically protruded therefrom.
8. A fishing double-bearing type reel as claimed in claim 1, wherein said
pinion is fixed to said supporting shaft to thereby translate with said
support shaft along said common axis.
9. A fishing double-bearing type reel as claimed in claim 1, wherein said
supporting shaft is mounted to rotate relative to said spool shaft.
10. A fishing double-bearing type reel comprising:
a spool shaft rotatably supported by a reel body and having a spool
thereon, said spool shaft having an axial end portion;
a supporting shaft coaxial with respect to said spool shaft, and having an
axial end portion confronted with said axial end portion of said spool
shaft;
a pinion rotatable in association with rotation of a handle and rotatably
mounted on said supporting shaft;
a rod-shaped engaging piece provided on one of said axial end portions of
said spool shaft and said pinion, and extending perpendicular to a common
axis of said spool shaft and said supporting shaft; and
a recess formed in the other of said axial end portions for engagement with
said rod-shaped engaging piece, wherein said pinion is axially movable
relative to said spool shaft so that said rod-shaped engaging piece is
engaged with and disengaged from said recess, and
wherein said supporting shaft is completely disengaged from said spool
shaft when said rod-shaped engaging piece is disengaged from said recess.
11. A fishing double-bearing type reel as claimed in claim 10, wherein a
spatial gap separates said support shaft from said spool shaft along said
common axis.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an improvement of a clutch mechanism which is
adapted to switch a fishing-line take-up state and a fishing-line let-out
state of the spool of a fishing double-bearing type reel over to each
other.
In general, the clutch mechanism of a fishing double-bearing type reel
which is adapted to switch the fishing-line take-up state and the
fishing-line let-out state of the spool is designed as follows: A spool
shaft, on which a spool is mounted, has a chamfered segmental clutch
coupling section; while a pinion which is movably mounted on the spool
shaft and is rotated in association with the rotation of the handle has a
slit-shaped engaging section which is engaged with the clutch coupling
section, so that the pinion is moved into and out of engagement with the
spool shaft. However, when the fishing line is let out of the reel, the
clutch mechanism suffers from the following problem: That is, in this
case, since the pinion is engaged with the spool shaft which is rotated
together with the spool, the spool shaft is high in rotation resistance,
as a result of which the length of the fishing line which is let out of
the reel, namely, the casting distance of the fishing line is decreased as
much. In order to eliminate this difficulty, Japanese Utility Model Kokoku
Publication No. Sho. 60-10380 and Japanese Utility Model Kokai Publication
No. Sho. 57-158372 have disclosed a method of supporting the pinion with a
supporting shaft which is provided in addition to the spool shaft, to
decrease the rotation resistance of the spool shaft in letting the fishing
line out of the reel.
However, the method involves the following two serious problems:
One of the problems is as follows: The engaging section of the pinion is
engaged with the outside of the chamfered segmental clutch coupling
section of the spool shaft, and therefore the width of the slit-shaped
engaging section which are confronted with each other is 3 to 4 mm even in
a middle or small reel such as a bait casting reel, and 5 to 7 mm in a
large reel such as a barrel-type reel and a trolling reel. Hence, when the
reel is operated to take up the fishing line, the rotary members are
liable to play greatly because of the gaps between the clutch coupling
section and the slit-shaped engaging section. Accordingly, a fisherman,
when feeling a bite, may not able to accurately and quickly perform the
hooking operation.
The other problem is as follows: The size of the engaging section of the
pinion depends on the diameter of the spool shaft and the limited space in
the gear box. On the other hand, in order to make the pinion high in
corrosion resistance, machinability, and engagement characteristic, the
pinion is, in general, made of copper alloy such as brass and bronze, or
aluminum alloy which is lower in mechanical strength than hard steel such
as stainless steel. Hence, in the case where the clutch mechanism is
operated for a long time repeatedly switching-the fishing-line let-out
state of the spool over to the fishing-line take-up state, or the
fishing-line winding operation is carried out under a high load, the
engaging section of the pinion may be deformed or worn out, thus making it
difficult to smoothly and positively operate the clutch mechanism.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing, an object of the invention is to provide a
fishing double-bearing type reel having a clutch mechanism in which,
during the rotation of the reel, the occurrence of play in the clutch
engaging section of the spool and the pinion is substantially eliminated,
and the spool and the pinion are improved in engaging strength.
The foregoing object of the invention has been achieved by the provision of
a fishing double-bearing type reel in which
a supporting shaft is provided coaxially with respect to a spool shaft
which is rotatably supported by a reel body and has a spool, and
a pinion, which is rotated in association with the rotation of a handle, is
mounted on the supporting shaft in such a manner that the pinion is
axially movable relative to the spool shaft, the pinion being moved into
and out of engagement with the end of the spool shaft,
in which, according to the invention,
a rod-shaped engaging piece is provided on one of the end portions of the
spool shaft and the pinion which are confronted with each other, in such a
manner that the rod-shaped engaging piece is perpendicular to the axis,
and an recess is formed in the other which is engaged with the rod-shaped
engaging piece.
The supporting shaft may be supported on the reel body in such a manner
that it is axially either movable or not movable. In the case where the
supporting shaft is so supported that it is not axially movable, and the
pinion is mounted on the supporting shaft in such a manner that it is
axially movable, preferably the clutch mechanism is short in axial length.
The rod-shaped engaging piece, and the recess which is engaged with the
engaging piece relate to each other as follows: In the case where the
rod-shaped engaging piece is extended from the pinion, the recess is
formed in the spool shaft; whereas in the case where the rod-shaped
engaging piece is extended from the spool shaft, the recess is formed in
the pinion. The rod-shaped engaging piece is made of a hard steel high in
mechanical strength such as stainless steel and hardened, quenched steel,
and the pinion is made of a non-ferrous material, such as copper alloy, or
brass or bronze, or aluminum alloy, which is high in corrosion resistance
and in machinability.
The reel of the invention operates as follows: When the rod-shaped engaging
piece (or the recess) of the pinion is engaged with the recess (or the
rod-shaped engaging piece) of the spool shaft with the aid of the clutch
mechanism, the pinion is coupled to the spool shaft, so that the spool on
the spool shaft is placed in the fishing-line take-up state. When the
rod-shaped engaging piece (or the recess) of the pinion is disengaged from
the recess (or the rod-shaped engaging piece) of the spool shaft with the
aid of the clutch mechanism, the pinion is disengaged from the spool
shaft, so that the spool on the spool shaft is freely rotatable being
placed in the fishing-line let-out state. In the reel of the invention,
the engaging region where the rod-shaped engaging piece and the recess are
engaged with each other is located as close to the common axis of the
spool shaft and the supporting shaft as possible. Hence, when the reel is
rotated, the occurrence of play is substantially eliminated which is due
to the clearance in the engaging region.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a plan view, with parts cut away, showing an example of a fishing
double-bearing type reel, which constitutes a first embodiment of the
invention.
FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional front view showing essential components
of the reel shown in FIG. 1, for a description of a fishing-reel take-up
state of the latter.
FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional front view showing essential components
of the reel shown in FIG. 1, for a description of a fishing-reel let-out
state of the latter.
FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional front view showing essential components
of another example of the fishing double-bearing type reel, which
constitutes a second embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional front view showing essential components
of another example of the fishing double-bearing type reel, which
constitutes a third embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional front view showing essential components
of another example of the fishing double-bearing type reel, which
constitutes a fourth embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line 7--7 in FIG. 2.
FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line 8--8 in FIG. 4.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Preferred embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to
the accompanying drawings in which like parts are designated by like
reference numerals or characters.
An example of a fishing double-bearing type reel, which constitutes a first
embodiment of the invention, is as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. The fishing
double-bearing type reel comprises: a reel body 3; a spool shaft 2 made of
a material high in mechanical strength such as stainless steel which is
rotatably supported through bearings 5 (one of which is shown in the
drawings) between reel side boards 4 and 4' of a reel body 3; and a spool
1 fixedly mounted on the spool shaft 2. A narrow-groove-shaped recess 6 is
formed in the end portion of the spool shaft 2 on the side of the reel
side board 4.
In the reel side board 4, a supporting shaft 7 is supported through a
bearing 8 in such a manner that it is coaxial with respect to the spool
shaft 2 and is axially movable, and a pinion 10 is fixedly mounted on the
supporting shaft 7 in such a manner that it is engaged with a drive gear 9
of a handle shaft and supported through a bearing 8'. A rod-shaped
engaging piece 11 is supported on the inner end portion of the pinion 10
in such a manner that it is perpendicular to the supporting shaft 7 and is
engaged with the above-described recess 6. The pinion 10 is engaged with a
clutch board 12 which is adapted to urge the pinion 10 inwardly. The
clutch board 12 is moved right and left by means of a conventional clutch
mechanism. As the clutch board 12 is moved in this way, the supporting
shaft 7 is slid right and left to move the rod-shaped engaging piece 11 of
the pinion 10 into and out of engagement with the recess 6.
The pinion 10 is made of a non-ferrous material high both in corrosion
resistance and in machinability such as copper alloy, or brass and bronze,
and aluminum alloy. The rod-shaped engaging piece 11 of the pinion 10 is 1
to 2 mm in diameter, and is made of a hard steel material such as
stainless steel or hardened steel. The recess 6 is small in width, 1.1 to
2.1 mm. Hence, when the rod-shaped engaging piece 11 of the pinion 10 is
engaged with the recess 6 of the spool shaft 2 with the supporting shaft 7
slid inwardly as shown in FIG. 2, the spool 1 is placed in the
fishing-line take-up state; and when the rod-shaped engaging piece 11 of
the pinion 10 is disengaged from the recess 6 of the spool shaft 2 with
the supporting shaft 7 moved outwardly as shown in FIG. 3, the spool shaft
2 is made freely rotatable; that is, the reel is placed in the
fishing-line let-out state.
In addition, reference numeral 10a designates an annular wall of the pinion
10a defining a circular hole into which the end portion of the spool shaft
2 is insertable.
FIG. 4 shows another example of the fishing double-bearing type reel, which
constitutes a second embodiment of the invention. In the fishing
double-bearing reel, the rod-shaped engaging piece 11 is fixedly secured
to the end of the spool shaft 2 in such a manner that it is perpendicular
to the spool shaft 2. FIG. 5 shows another example of the fishing
double-bearing type reel, which constitutes a third embodiment of the
invention. In the third embodiment, the supporting shaft 7 is rotatably
supported but it is not axially movable; and the pinion 10 is mounted on
the supporting shaft 7 in such a manner that it is axially movable and is
rotated together with the latter 7. The third embodiment is advantageous
in that the reel body can be short in axial length. FIG. 6 shows another
example of the fishing double-bearing type reel, which constitutes a
fourth embodiment of the invention. In the fishing double-bearing type
reel, the supporting shaft 7 is fixedly secured to the reel side board 4
so that its rotation is inhibited, and the pinion 10 is mounted on the
supporting shaft 7 in such a manner that it is axially movable and is
rotatable. Similarly as in the case of the above-described third
embodiment, in the fourth embodiment the reel body can be short in axial
length.
In the fishing double-bearing type reel of the invention, the engaging
region where the rod-shaped engaging piece and the recess are engaged with
each other is located as close to the common axis of the spool shaft and
the supporting shaft as possible. This feature substantially eliminates
the occurrence of play, during the rotation of the reel, which is due to
the gap formed in the engaging region. Hence, when feeling a bite, the
fisherman can perform the hooking operation accurately and quickly.
In the reel of the invention, even when the pinion is made of a non-ferrous
material such as aluminum alloy and copper alloy high in corrosion
resistance, machinability, and engaging characteristic, the provision of
the rod-shaped engaging piece on the pinion can maintain the clutch
engaging section high in mechanical strength, to thereby make the clutch
engaging section free from deformation and wear. Thus, the reel is durable
enough to withstand the fishing line winding operation or the clutch
engaging and disengaging operation which is carried out repeatedly for a
long time. Furthermore, in the case where the rod-shaped engaging piece is
provided on the spool shaft, the reel can be more readily manufactured,
and assembled than in the case where it is provided on the pinion.
Top